
Class _3S_^_ai£L 
Book..AS3i\/5L_ 

COPVRIGHT DEPOSIT. 







^rvrvak Kobir\5oi\ Vafcor^ 



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* '^l\t littorg * 




Autlior uf 

"#"omc Rotable TFamilics of America. " 

"passion jFlotocrs." 

" ^ ]^aml ^incajc." 

" (Bn Ziie IFiclb of K^onor." 

"'Elic (Eliamvion M^ib." 


^cmplyrs, "Tennessee, 

* nm. * 















Copyright 1909 

BY 

AsNAH Robinson Watson 



Foster Printing and Publishing Company 
Memphis. Tennessee 



1 1 ■ '■'■■> KJ"'*"^ 

I ;.i'R 3 1809 



TO 

ELIZABETH LEE ROBINSON 

The Balm of Gilead's in her gentle speech. 

The inspiration of Supernal Love 

In loyal soul.— and here the visions dwell 

Which lift from Earth, to "things which are above.' 



SUufitratinna. 



" Satttl iKani th? HirgUt," 

" ®lfp §lar." 

" JUatfr Snloroaa," 

"ftrta." 

" ®1|P (Eliprub CEl?otr." 

" JPtrat iEaatrr iauitt," 

•• At mt ®nmb." 



Soasrtti '' 
SftMtbarlj ^ 

Auguat Sntit -^ 

ILi^awBaa - 
Plorktforat ^ 



THE VICTORY. 



WHEN CHAOS WAS. 



A Centre : A Source : A Consciousness : 

A Force with supereminent Purpose: 
A Self-sufficient Cause, — Effective, — Changeless: 

Without beginning, without ending, — 
Before Whom was nothing, 

Greater than Whom could nothing be; 
Whose power, limitless, reached to low, to high, 

To atom, to aggregation, — 
Beneath Whose breath aspired 

The protoplast to soul-stirred sentience. — 
This was God, is God, the Creator; 

This the Triune Lord Jehovah, 
Who willed to work, and to speak 

Into being all that was or may be. 
Yesterday — To-day, — Forever. 



THE VICTORY. 



LUCIFER. 



Earth was not, and Heaven was everywhere,- 
Reaching through an azure distance, 

Far extending, where the silence 

Oft was broken by the Seraphs 

Winging, singing, in a rapture 

Never shadowed nor diminished. 

All surrounding, all embracing, 

Centre,. Source, the Omnipresent 

Ruled, informed, and comprehended; 
And the harmony enfolding, 

All pervading, had endured 

Through the eons slow revolving 

With no end and no beginning. 

But there grew by smallest measures 

Scorn of rule, excess of passion, 
Pride, ambition, till incited 

By their Leader, some revolted. 
Then was war in Highest Heaven ; 

Then was Lucifer, the Traitor, 
Banished, and about him gathered 

Mighty hosts of rathful rebels: 



THE VICTORY. 



These, with pinions linked, now winged them 

Into space, to farthest darkness. 
To a place beyond the boundaries 

Of their yet remotest roamings. 
Then the light grew less, the glory 

Faded, while with chilling breezes 
Heavy clinging mists embraced them. — 

Where had been primeval silence 
Came the rythmic sweep of pinions. 

Where was blackness, trailing flashes 
From the wings long steeped in radiance; 

Till all drunk with rapid reeling 
Flight, they faltered as a chasm 

Yawning wide with fear, received them.- 
Here abided now the Fallen, 

Here with Lucifer, their Leader. 



10 



THE VICTORY. 



Once, he'd paused 'twixt Hell and Heaven,- 

Far adown, from amber spaces 
Near the glorious golden Centre, 

Came a Seraph, calling, erj'ing, 
"Lucifer! Alas! Oh, Lucifer! 

Listen ! Come ! I wait thee, Lucifer ! ' '- 
'Twas Amora, fair Amora, 

Who beside him oft had wandered 
In the joyous past, the Uplands 

He had now in scorn deserted. — 
Half repenting he had listened, 

Then to lowest depths descended. 



11 



THE VICTORY. 



Here was Hell. He claimed dominion 

Throughout all this lower kingdom, 
Where the majesty of Evil 

He enthroned in lurid splendor: 
And as sin grew with the sinning 

Spread the vile disease of Evil, 
Spread contagion of low passions 

Till they writhed as slaves and minions 
Who in bonds of love and blessing 

Had been free in blissful service. — 
Now as spawn and brood of reptiles 

Cringing, hissing noxious vapors, 
All in loathsomeness contending 

Swarmed the host, grown fierce and frenzied 
In a mad demoniac struggling. 



12 



THE VICTORY. 



Ages passed. At last he wearied 

Of his empire and dominion, 
And a never lessening hunger 

Gnawed, tormented, and gave battle 
To his spirit. Then on pinions 

Of unrest he smote the darkness, 
With a fierce titanic motion 

Cleft the silence, swept the spaces 
Reaching upward and to eastward. — 



13 




And he listened, caught the echoes 

Of the voice of sweet Amora, 

Drifting still from amber arches 

AVhere they'd wandered, — calling, pleading, 

"Lucifer! alas, Oh. Lucifer!" 



THE ^^TCTOEY. 

Sudden, — sound, as pregnant fragrance, 

Roused his calloused seur-e of pleasure. 
And lie listened, cauglit the echoes 

Of the voice of Sweet Aniora. 
Drifting still from amber arches 

Where they'd wandered, — calling, pleading, 
"Lucifer! alas, oh, Lucifer! 

Lost and fallen, Mighty Lucifer!" 

(If choice had been, where all were passing fair, 
And good and wonderful, and crowned with grace, 
It luust have named, "Amora", she to whom 
Archangel Lucifer was closest friend. 
Companions they, in that most sacred sense 
Which mortals may not know, — the bond so fine 
And subtle, is but shadowed in their sphere. 
It might not be save in that high estate 
Where purity and love fi-om stain are free. 
In grand endeavor, contemplation chaste, 
Had oft their noblest powers conjoined, the joys 
Between them shared were doubled, till alas. 
Perfidious pride through its o'ermastering lure 
Had made him Traitor to his God and her.) 

"Lucifer! alas, oh. Lucifer! 

Lost and fallen. Mighty Lucifer!" 
Still to call of Love lie listened, — 

For a moment caught a vision 
Of transcendent joy surrendered; 

Then Avith shock of startled wonder 
Drooped his pinions, for about him 

Was the formless Chaos pulsing. 
While a Holy Spirit brooded 

O'er the waste of shifting shadows. 



14 



THE VICTORY. 



There, to Eastward, faintly glowing, 

Whirling, panting, in the raptures 
Of Creation, of Awakening, 

Was a shapeless mass of matter 
Set in motion by a purpose 

Not revealed nor comprehended. 
What should be the fateful meaning 

Of this strange unlooked for menace ?- 
None had questioned him as monarch 

Of all space outside of Heaven, — 
And he asked with imprecations, — 

Is another Flell preparing 
For another race of rebels?" — 



15 



THE VICTORY. 



Then he watched with fiendish plotting 

'Gainst the slow evolving marvel. 
Watched, and saw the Dismal Nothing 

Which had been, arouse to beauty, 
Saw the Smile of the Eternal 

Draw the light from Heaven, and wildered, 
Saw the parting of the waters 

And the march of spinning planets. 

Well he knew from whence the Power, 

Knew, and owned, though fierce opposing 
Higher Force he could not conquer; 

And again in wild rebellion 
Were his curses hurled at Heaven, 

With a vow for the undoing 
Of this matchless consummation. — 

"Mine it shall be! with the devils 
Of the lowest depths conspiring 

Will I master this new kingdom, 
Will I baffle the Eternal!" 



16 



thp: victory. 



I'l 0111 afar lie watched, his pinions 

Eeeking- \Yitli a venomed vapor 
And athrill witli jn-escient wonder. — 

Sudden at his side a figure, 
Taking shape from mist and shadow, 

Veiled and ominous and silent. 

"What its portent or its mission?" — 
Pulsed an unseen Force in answer, — 

" 'Tis the forecast of transgression 
Thrown upon the sentient Future, 

Pallid shadow of tlie Shadow 
Which will fall when dire rebellion 

Shall have worked its will relentless: 
Death, it is, — awaiting summons, 

Death, the curse and retribution: 
Death, a sleep and mitigation. 

Death, the entrance way of promise. "- 
With a shudder turned the Traitor, 

Hissing forth his maledictions: 
"Mine it shall be! with the devils 

Of the lowest depths conspiring 
Will I master this new kingdom, 
Will T baffle the Eternal!" 



17 



>l 



THE VICTORY. 



This his threat, the damniug mischief, 

Which he set him to accomplish. 
This the challeno-e flung,— Incarnate 

Evil, 'gainst the One All Holy. 
Who, though hearing 'cross the distance 

And the darkness which divided. 
Heeded not the prideful menace: — 

And the while, the Looms Almighty, 
Wove the fabric of the Firmament, 

And the Earth grew, girt with silence, 
Towards her splendor of perfection. 



18 



TliK VICTORY 



EDEN. 



Such time it was when soulless space was dumb, 

When striving forces shape nor form had traced, 
When yet unconscious cliaos held its sway, 

And silence brooded o'er the seething waste: 
That rose from out the swirling, lurid mass. 

Which pulsed in molten waves of quivering might, 
A wondrous thing, a sphere set free and whirled 

Athwart the shadows of a senseless night. 
But One kept watch above the wars of Force; 

His will attraction and cohesion lent; 
His breath the mighty bubble trembling, felt. 

As reeling into space t'was onward sent. 

It was not loosed beyond His guardian care. 

His breath slow cooled the spinning Sphere — its speed 
It checked, its molten liquid chilled until 

T'was tamed to feel the yoke His will decreed. 
Then granite ribs encased the restless ball, 

And humid clouds spread wings for upward flight. 
Then sudden. Earth grew conscious of her Lord, 

And knew His smile: — that moment there was Light! 



19 



THE VICTORY. 



Then verdure came, and humble crawling things, 

And blossoms quick to try their gladsome life, 
Aud birds to wing the fragrant azure sky, 

And fill the upper space with songful strife; 
And then a silvern mist, a dewy sheen, 

Which wrapped the earth, as in a ganxient fair, 
For her baptismal morn, and over all 

A Wondrous Presence: God was everywhere. 

And all was good tliat was. and j'et was not 

Inscribed by angels on stupendous scroll 
Of things created, one which might aspii-e, — 

Among them all was not a living soul. 
Then God took counsel with Himself, the while 

Slowly length 'ning shadows fell, and Silence laid 
Her wand on listening hill aud vale, and lo! 

God spake, and man in His own image made! 



20 



TiiE VICTOK^' 



He lived, he breathed, a Lord, the earth his own, 

The cattle on the hills, the birds in air, 

The growth in eveiy vale, the cooling streams 

Were all his own, with none to claim nor share — 

But soon a deep despair he I'elt, a deepening need, 

A wondering pain, and did not know that from His throne 

Was One divined tlie truth, and pitying spake, 

"It is not good that man should dwell alone." 

With yearning soul he gazed in tender wise 

Upon the far dim haze at even tide. 

Which clung as filmy robe about the hills 

And rested on the farther river side. — 

Was nowhere to be found some solace sweet, 

Some balm for this sad craving in his breast, 

"Oh, Lord" he cried in bitterness and woe, 

"Where shall I find surcease from this unrest! 

There is a God in Heaven, mayhap fair forms 

Of fairest life, but ah, the lonely earth! 

My longing cry but rends unanswering skies 

Almost I'd curse the day that gave me birth." ^i 



! 



21 



J 



THE VICTORY. 



And then he laid him down; a silence fell, 
xVnd sleep on him like Death, the thing unborn; 
The light of sun went out, the moon was veiled, 
A myriad stars were keeijing watch till mora. 
Low melodies were floating where he slept. 
Wind-blown the blossoms spilled their sweets about, 
A web of dreams shut out the thoughts of day, 
His loneliness, his questioning, his doubt. 
At last he waked and cast the slumber thrall 
Aside, he lay with lids but half updrawn, 
Aweary of the world, his kingdom vast, 
Aweary of the light, the roseate dawn. 
What were these gifts to him whose lonely heart, 
Looked hopeless for some heart to share them all, 
What were the whole when dumb eyes only saw. 
And lowly beasts but answered to his call. 
Then, as he turned, some impulse drew his gaze 
To where the lily stalks were swaying slow 
Beside a vine-enscreened and shaded bower 
But faintly lit by early morning glow. 



22 



THE VICTORY. 



Amid the lilies tall was something stirred 
Which held his restless glance; he gazed, he rose, 
He thrilled and caught his breath in sudden pain. 
In strange and unknown joy and happy throes. 
A something robed in glory like the dawn, 
With opalescent hues and shimmering hair, 
Ensheathed in dazzling light as bud in leaves. 
Of all earth's fairest things it seemed most fair. 

Insistent gaze he bent, the vision stayed, 
What was this marvel, this divine surprise, 
This radiant thing, so like-unlike himself — 
He neared — his bosom wrung with eager sighs — 
Then lo, as drawn by cords of mystic power. 
And swaying as the lilies on their stem. 
The one he saw smiled on him as he came, 
Sweet silence reigned, all nature watching them. 



■" 



THE VICTORY. 



A busli, and each the other saw, and knew — 
A sound went pulsing as of wings above, 
Of brooding spirits hovering o'er the two — 
The smile of God gave Light — the Woman's, Love. 

The Covenant was sealed, 'twixt God and man 

Where stood the Tree of Life: the garden fair 

Athrill to solemn mandate, throbbing low 

Through all the list'ning aisles of fragrant air: 

And all was good that was, and sacred calm 
On Eden lay, while souls so newly blest 
With gifts divine, in all pervading joy, 
Together hailed the Holy Day of Rest. 



24 



THE at:ctory. 



THE TEMPTATION. 



p]artl) was young, its hills and valleys 

In effulgent glory lay, 
Throbbing opalescent hazes 

Marked the streamlet's limpid way. — 
Flush of rose, of orange, violet. 

Shimmering, shifting, gladsome light, 
Swung on high where emerald branches 

Lured new pinions in their flight. 
Radiance steeped in scent of blossoms 

Sprung from seeds by Seraphs sown, 
Compassed all in grand completion, — 

Life to full perfection grown.— 



25 



THE VICTORY. 



And with souls attuned to gladness, 

Roamed at will the fair domain, 
Drank at will from founts of pleasure, 

Yet unmixed with grief or pain. 
Two who stood in pristine glory. 

Human, finite, without wile. 
Little lower than the augeis, 

Man and woman, free from guile. 

Like, yet unlike,^ — he was sterner, 

And was stronger, she, 'twould seem, 
Finer fabric, frailer fashioned 

As the fabric of a dream. — 
Adam, Eve, within this E]den, 

He, in ravishment of bliss, 
Felt his kingship bartered fairly. 

For the rapture of her kiss. 



2G 



THE WCTORY. 



But within the tranquil Eden 

Crouched a fiend with quenchless hate, 
Lucifer, who losing Heaven, 

Now was Lord of Hell's estate. 
"Hark!" he cried, "to their undoing 

Bend I powers of direst woe, 
I will curse them with the tortures 

Of my foulest Hell below! 
Damned they shall be! torn from Eden! 

In that dark abode they'll shine 
As rare jewels from His kingdom 

Set in diadem of mine!" 



27 



I! 



THE VICTORY. 



Dawned there now a fateful morning; 

Eve liad sought a far retreat. 
Where came one disguised in garments 

Of the serpent to her feet. — 
Sinuous, tortuous, gleaming, glistening, — 

As it groveled, coiled and crawled, 
Tempting, teasing, trifling, taunting, 

Whispering, ' ' Thou, man 's slave art called. 
Thou a slave! and yet awaits thee 

Dower of rule o 'er Earth and Sky, 
Dower of wisdom, of transcendant 

Joys to bless thee ceaselessly. 
Why shouldst thou delay in bondage, 

See, the fruit hangs luscious, round, 
Pluck and eat, oh blinded Mortal, 

Here the gift of gods is found!" 



28 



THE VICTOKV. 



Then the woman, though, ''Thou shalt not!" 

Through her couscious soul again 
Flashed in warning, scorned the mandate 

With a look of proud disdain ; 
And the while, she thought in fondness 

Of her lord, — her loving care 
Would have him of gift so wondrous 

Take with her an equal share. 
So the fruit she gathered, smiling, 

Hastening then on eager feet. 
Knowing not there lurked a poison 

In its heart so deadlv sweet. 



29 



THE VICTORY. 



When they both the fruit had tasted, 

Sudden age o'er radiant youth 
Came with dire confusion, sorrow, 

And too late the bitter truth. 
Now they hastened, shrinking, weeping, 

To a desolate retreat, 
All in terror, lest in Eden 

Some avenger, they should meet. 

Then with wild and fiendish laughing. 

Cried the Tempter, "Go your way, 
Crawling in the serpent's garments 

I, the Prince of Hell, did play. 
Eve, to Lucifer, hath bartered 

Gift the Lord of Heaven gave, 
She may now be Queen of Devils 

Or in Eden Adam's Slave!" 



30 



THE VICTORY. 



THE PROMISE. 



The gates of Eden closed and o'er them paled 

The new bom sun in shame, 
While nearer swung in swift and deadly curves 

A gleaming sword of flame. 

Beyond, where stretched a silent, sombre, land 

Where thorns and thistles grew. 
They passed, — the man, — the woman, — who had sinned. 

To fate they neither knew. 

The woman listened, shuddered, — "Still I hear 

The Tempter's taunt!" she cried, 
"A cruel, jeering, mocking laugh, which sounds 

Forever at my side : ' ' 



31 



THE VICTORY. 



But he heard not, — his duller senses stirred 

To pains of heat and cold, 
While finer fibre of her being thrilled 
To keener pangs untold. 

She backward turned bewildered, longing, gaze, 

But then upon the man 
She smiled, to win a smile from him, and thus 

New happiness began: 

For with a sudden wistful grace she gave 
Unsought, a wann caress, 
Against his own she pressed her throbbing heart. 
As with its balm to bless. 



32 



THE VICTORY. 



"Oh might we not perchance, just thou and I, 

Make Paradise," she cried, 
"I care not for the fragrant bowers of ease, 

If thou art by my side ; 

What though the sun shine not, and bitter winds 
Through all this dreary space 

Should buffet us, my heart will find its light 
And solace in thy face. 

Had now the Angel ruthless, driven us thence 

Each on his lonely way, 
It had in truth been fate of direst woe, — 

Together, sure we may 



33 



THE VICTORY. 



Not deem ourselves of every blessing reft. ' ' — 

But heeding not her kiss, 
Her pressure close, despair dragged down his soul 

To fathomless abyss. 

He gave no answer, though she set her lips 

In pleading once again 
Upon his own, the while with stifled cry 

She hid her grief, and then 

They wearily and slowly fared them on: 

But in her tender care 
To comfort him and cheer, her soul was roused, 

And thus was born a prayer; — 



34 



THE VICTORY. 



And even while she prayed an answer came, 

A parting of the green 
Half stunted gi-owth that drooped on every hand, 

And one who framed between 

The slender stalks, enrobed in vapors grey, 

In silence gently came 
And touched her as in comradeship and love, 

With look nor word of blame. 

A Presence 'twas, not lovely but with power 

To quicken life, to start 
A glad expectancy which wakened Hope 

Within the woman's heart. 



.-{5 



THE VICTORY. 



With gracious guidance then it quickly led 

To grateful task, and bound 
The seared grass, which flamed neath mystic touch 

Till light and heat were found. 

At this the man was moved to share the toil, 

He rose in conscious pride 
Of strength to shield the helpmeet who had walked 

Unmurmuring at his side. 

In eager haste he bent to lift her load. 

And sudden felt the thrill 
Of passion, pure and high, of love exalted. 

All his being fill. 



3G 



THE VICTORY. 



'Twas thus that service sweetest bliss revealed, 

And Eve in gladness turned 
To ask, "Oh Spirit, whence art thou, and what 

Thy name! from thee we've learned 

That life may yet some compensation know. 

That Hope and Joy abide 
With thee," — The Stranger paused, then answer gave,- 

"To be thy faithful guide, 

I came; on that dark day when Paradise 

Was rent with human cries 
Of penitence and fear, was I ordained 

To cheer, to help thee rise 



37 



THE VICTORY. 



To marvelous and most transcendent destiny, 

Which yet may be achieved 
Through Infinite forgiveness and the love 

Of Him whom thou hast grieved. 

My name in ancient Seraph tongue is "Love," 

But "Duty," it may be, 
Or "Labor," "Service," in your harsher speech 

Translated wrongfully: 

And that I teach, in some mysterious way, 

Is part of Heaven 's plan 
.By which may be restored the gift he lost, — 

His happiness, to man." — 



:]H 



THE VICTORY. 



A silence, — and the twain once more alone, 

In solemn wonder bowed, — 
Their souls as with a sudden conscious power. 

And pui'pose high, endowed. — 

And now the Exile's Land to beauty grew, 

The desert slowly bloomed 
To roseate splendor, and rejoicing suns 

Which once in anger gloomed. 

Smiled down in gladness; and as Adam toiled, 
In fields where thorns were rife, 

Burst forth with fragrance, bud and leaf and flower 
To most abundant life. — 



39 



'JHE VICTORY. 



And Eve, the sharer of the sin and shame, 

Was now to rapture stirred. 
For lo, the accents of a little child 

The Earth in wonder heard: 

And clasped as gift within its hand so small 

The mother found a balm 
Which soothed her heart and tuned her tender lips 

To sweet and praiseful psalm. — 

But even yet she seemed to hear the cry 

Of one who swiftly flew, — 
Of Lucifer, who cleft the lurid skies, — 

And in her heart she knew 



4(1 



THE VICTOEY. 



The Serpent's lure was still about her path, 
And trembling, oft she prayed 

Her sin might be forgiven, the penalty 
Of disobedience paid. — 

Whilst musing thus, the child asleep upon 
Her breast, she heard it said, 

As in a vision, "Peace, the woman's Seed 
Shall bruise the Serpent's head." 



41 



THE VICTORY. 



PREDESTINED. 



Athwart high heaven flashed out the new born stars, 

A myriad fragments of transcendent joy, 
A myriad thoughts from Him who traced afar 

Their courses by Omnipotent design. 
Unnumbered hosts whirled upward on their way, 

Orion proud, Areturus still and calm. 
The Pleiades, but half their glittering globes 

Revealed across the sentient, sapphire dome; 
While round and roimd, the Sovereign Orb of night 

Swung as a mighty circling pendulum; — 
A ryhthm pulsing through the vibrant space 

Roused all creation to mellifluous chords, 
To one vast harmony in which the Spheres 

And all the Sons of (iod were joined in song. 



42 



THE VICTORY. 



Above, below, the world was wondrous fair, 

A million shifting shades of beauty thrilled 
Through amethyst and sardonyx and pearl, 

A-tremble o'er the firmament's deep blue; 
And there, removed, hung one resplendent Star*, 

An exile from each Constellation's zone. 
So distant placed that only Seraphim 

In farthest flight its radiant realm could reach. 
Tlie Solitary Star made constant plaint, 

' ' I am not held as meet for service high, 
Jehovah charges that I stand and wait." 

Then eons passed, — again to echoing dome 
Came pinions of the Seraphim where still 

The Star in conscious isolation swung. 



43 



THE VICTORY. 



"Thine hour hath come!" they sang, "go lead the way, 

Three travelers pray for light, and all the world 
Shall follow when they find the Lord's Annointed!"— 

Then as an oriflamme, the Star flashed down 
With wave on wave of winged Hosts to bear 

It company; and sudden blazed to Pilgrim eyes 
So great a light that wild with joy they cried, 

"We've seen within the East His Star!" — and lo 
The Star stood still o'er humble manger bed 

Where lay a Child! — Now chanting Cherubim 
Broke forth in song celestial, while the Light 

Expanded, and the Star, Beatified, 
As irridescent nimbus round His Head 

With rapture burst to countless rays and died. 



44 



THE VICTORY. 



THE VIRGIN. 



With A^isions girt, upon the path she stands 

Which leads above to rugged mountain's height, 
And down to fragrant vernal vales below, 

Where stretch the glowing gardens of Delight. 
So young, so pure, with eager, wondering eyes, 

And lips attuned to anthems sweet she waits: 
"Oh who shall lead the way!" she cries, "and show 

The path, and who shall open wide the gates 
That I may safely enter on the Land 

Of my desire : Oh throbbing heart be still, 
Be still, lest you should drown the Seraph's Song 

And with the sounds of Earth my senses fill; 
Oh let them hold my hand and lead me slow, 

To Consecration's Heights where I would go." 



45 



I 



m,.;^^ittmmi'M,i>MiM^MMM 




Oh, let them hold my hand and lead me slow 
To Consecration's Heights where I would go. 



THE VICTORY. 



UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN. 



Child of mystery supernal, 

Slumbering on Thy mother's breast, 
What the dreams Thy silken lashes 

Shut from her too eager quest? 
Are they visions of Thy kingdom, 

Of Archangels near the throne, 
Of the sins of all the nations 

And of One who will atone? 

Child of mystery supernal, 

Closer nestle 'gainst my breast 

What portends I may not fathom, 
Only bow to God's behest. 



46 



THE VICTORY. 



Child of prophecy and longing, 

Of slow ages of desire, 
Of whom darkly spake the sages, 

Of whom sang the heavenly choir. 
What Thy mission, how accomplished, 

Through what suffering, through what woe, 
What the sword my heart to enter, 

What the path that Thou must know? 

Child of mystery supernal, 

'Gainst my heart in trustful rest. 

Sure 'tis more than human loving 
Thrills Thy virgin mother's breast. 



47 



I 




Child of prophecy and longing, 
Of slow ages of desire. 



I 



THE VICTORY. 



Comes a shadow to Thy forehead, 

Little One? Thy mother's fears 
May have east a prescient glooming — 

In her eyes are unshed tears; 
For, slow-gathering clouds of sorrow 

Shut away the rising sun, 
Darkling round Thy Virgin mother 

Whilst Thou'rt sleeping. Little One. 



m 



THE VICTORY. 



But sleep on, sleep on, enfolded 

In my loving human arms, 
Child of mystery supernal, 

Sheltered thus from earth's alai-ms. 
Frail this cordon 'gainst the evils 

Which may throng Thy upward way, 
Closer, closer I enfold Thee, 

Thou art mine at least to-day. 

Hark, a step outside the portal! 

List, rude voices passing by! 
Sleep, for Israel's God is watching, 

In liis keeping Thou and I. 
Child of mystery unfathomed! 

Slumbering babe upon my breast, 
Through deep agony of loving 

I would do the Lord's behest. 



49 

1 ■! 




Through deep agony of loving 
I would do the Lord's behest. 



THE VICTORY. 



ATONEMENT. 



Yes, I am His mother. 

They've brought m.e the thorns 
That tortured His brow, — 

Merciless, cruel, relentless, — 
Bewildering and deafening, 

The scoffing and railing 
Resound even now 

Fi-om lips of the pitiless rabble. 

Yes, give me the thorns, — 

For I am His mother. 
And here was His resting place, — 

Never was cz-adled another 
'Gainst bosom so tender, — 

The while in deep rapture 
I gazed on His face 

And silently, reverently, pondered. 



50 



THE VICTORY. 



That agonized liour 

When redeeming a world, 

He looked uiDon me, 

Took pity on hci- who liad borne Him, 

And let the mad throng- 
That jeered and derided 

Their Savior, see 

His compassionate love for His mother. 



51 l| 



i i 




•Cnp,H.ht. U^. by Photohraphische Ge.ell.chaft ,- and • By permission of the Berlin Photographic Co.. New York 



I 



Yes, I am His mother, 

They've brought me the thorns 

That tortured His Brow. 



THE VICTORY. 



I will stifle my sobs, 

And crush back the human, 
The woman, the cry 

Of the mother who bore Him; — 
I'll be dumb and submissive, — 

The handmaid of Heaven, — 
Forsooth, who am I, 

That Jehovah should vouchsafe to honor ?- 

Oh, — be silent, my heart, — 

For the tomb, — can it frustrate 
His purpose? — or lo, 

Can He, the Omnipotent, fail? — 
Be silent, — a marvel 

Approaches completion, — 
Be silent, and know 

That the power of the Lord shall prevail. 



52 



Till-: VICTORY. 



THE SPIKITS IN PRISON. 



In farther space it hung: nor Hell nor Heaven 

Nor yet the Earth was near. The Sun sent not 
A quickening ray, nor gave the gentler Moon 

Of her munificence unto its need. 
Chilled to silence 'twas, and dead monotony, 

With darkness swathing close as 'twere a garment, 
And cold grey mists afloat, encircling round 

As sluggish smoke from embers dying slow, — 
This the Nether-World, the place of them 

That some have called "The Damned," reckoning not 
What larger mercy poor rebellious souls 

May find with God than with their fellow man. 



r);< 



THE VICTORY. 



This, that Other-place, the Prison-House 

For such as fared them from the world sin-sick 
And miserable; bars impalpable but potent 

Held them in; by spirit limitations 
Were they bound, for as a zone about 

The Place pulsed ether, fine and pure and rare 
They could not breathe without extinction and 

Annihilation, because of throttling sin, 
The dread disease which made them what they were. 



54 



tpip: victory 



Ages many passed: the Prison-House, 

Was thronged. Stained with blood, with lust, with greed, 
With hate, with all the crimes Hell-hatched for man's 

Undoing, had they come, and waited, hungered, 
For a good they could not name. — Might Hope 

Survive in this drear Shadow-Land of Death ?— 

Away, upward and to Eastward loomed 

A radiance, fitful, fluctuant, which shone 
Such time as passed a throng of Blessed through 

The Jacinth Gates; 'twas then flashed forth a beam 
Which touched to feeble glow e'en this forlorn 

Abode of barrenness and arid waste. 
There was no other light but from one Star 

Which deigned its ray to share with this sad sphere 
Whose fires of life had long ago burnt out. 



55 



THE VICTORY. 



This star was steady, strong and changeless in 

Its power though distant, it had hung serene 
Since Firmament of molten sapphire bent 

To His first touch ; and to this orb had clung 
The whole of feeble hope the Hopeless knew, 

"What should it show?" they asked, "but that He held 
Some purpose which through ages long might work 

And make them not too low for meed of grace, 
For something possible to God though not 

To man; and one there was who pleaded sore 
With ceaseless cry that they should ceaseless hope, 

And loose not hold of slender thread which he 
With agonizing fear sometime scarce saved 

Against a damning doubt. 



5(> 



THE VICTORY 



This aged Seer 
Had once been first among the sons of God, 

Had listened to the voice of God himself, 
But yet been first in sin, as first in life 

And then gone forth from Paradise to woe, 
To retribution; and now it would appear 

That faint elusive memories enwrapt 
His soul which oft in whispered chant broke forth 

And drew the Hopeless till they thronged him 'round 
Athirst for hope. "The Seed of her!" he cried, 

While throes of recollection broke the words, 
' ' The Seed of her, the woman, source of all 

That are. It shall bruise the Serpent's head. 
And though it doth not yet appear what we 

Shall be, there'll come for all the Nations balm, 
For even those of this Dead Sphere, and there 

Shall come for those that sit in darkness drear 
So great a Light that It will lighten all 

The vast and boundless universe of souls!" — 



57 



THE VICTOKY. 



A few there were who long had held this hope, 

They dwelt somewhat apart, enwrapt in calm, 
Eemoved from heaviest gloom which girt the Place ; 

But to the greater throng imprisoned close 
There seemed no hope, no peace, nor gTcater ill. 

Till sudden, to the desolate estate 
They deemed at worst, came such a direful change 

That cries of hoarse despair stirred all the space 
To vibrant misery; for while they watched. 

The Star, their light, from out the heavens fell. 
And deeper darkness, such as might be felt 

Close gathered round tliem. Alas, how driven or filched 
From distant skies they could not tell, nor whether 

Drawn to give its light to some whose plight 
Was sadder still than theirs : they only felt 

That to abyss of woe not dreamed nor known 
They now were plunged in cold and rayless night.— 

'Twas not divined the Solitary Star 
Had mission save to them, nor that its light 

Predestined from the first, had shone afar. 
And drawn three watchful Seers with eager hopes 

In search of ONE so heralded. Nor could 
They know that with most rapturous throes of joy 

The orb was riven, and gave perfected life 
An emblem of the ONE to whom it led. 



58 



THE VICTORY. 



The while this sore distress, there came from depths 

Below, where Demons dwelt, a host that crowded 
Eound the Prison-House and railed, with oaths 

Tormenting. " 'Tis not long till you shall join 
With us!" they cried, "with us, with Lucifer! 

With him who'll hind you on the wheels of fire 
Which spin and whirl in molten seas of flame, 

Where deathless serpents sting, and choking fumes 
Of poison stifle to the final death!" 



59 



THE VICTORY. 



So tortured, in a maddeniug- fear they groped, 

How long a space they might not ask nor know, 
But sudden, came a thrill along celestial 

Ways, the air was palpitant and all 
Aglow; the radiance upward, Eastward, grew, 

And Heralds were abroad, and Seraphim 
And Cherubim, and Angels, and Archangels 

Thronged all space grown luminous and white! 
Then, with resurrected memories strong 

That quickened to repentance, cried the hosts 
Of Souls in Prison, "Lord! Oh Lord! how long 

Wilt Thou forget us!" Then the nearer air 
Throbbed and pulsed and was alive to song. 

And then the veil suspended 'twixt the worlds, 
From Heaven to Hell, was rent by touch Divine, 

And with its parting, flood of light upon them 
Shone in fullness, and that moment. One 

Appeared, whom, looking on, they could but know 
Was Lord, both of Living and of Dead. 



(iO 



THE VICTORY. 



His supereminent glory filled the Place; 

His strength, — which theirs might he, — His righteousness, 
With His perfection and sufficiency, — theirs; 

For e'en to them had come, as to the Earth, 
To every Planet, to remotest parts 

Of wide Creation, a Eedemption free: 
And listening, could be heard a Voice which asked, 

' ' Shall Man or Devil strive 'gainst God and win ? — 
This may not be. The Victory over Death, 

O'er Hell, is His, and all terrestrial things 
Are now restored to kinship with their Lord: 

And this sad Sphere, this Prison-House, redeemed, 



61 




And Cherubim, and Angels, and Archangels 
Thronged all space grown luminous and white. 



THE VICTOKY. 



Shall be for waiting set, 'twixt Earth and Heaven, 

And here shall Many Mansions be, and all 
The souls of just men here be perfect made: 

For some, not fit as yet for highest joys. 
Some maimed and blind with sin, who yet have kept 

A leaven small of faith, there shall be hope: 
And this New Paradise, a Garden-Place 

For souls yet held in God's wide providence." 

Then solemn joy and calm encompassed those 

Who with repentance heard, and song of praise, 

"All blessing, glory, honor, power," they sang, 

"To Him with whom this glad salvation comes, 

To Him who through the envious Gates of Death 

Hath brought to every soul the Gift of Life!" — 



I 



62 



I 



THE VTCTORY. 



Awhile He tarried, then beyond the veil 

Was lost to view, and where had hung the Star 
Now swept a Bow which spanned the azure dome, 

With beryl set, and pearl and chrysoprase, 
And Sardius, and agate and the glow 

Of rubies ; and in token was it given 
That now was bridged the gulf aforetime fixed, 

That on this path of glory He had gone 
And they might follow when fruition came 

To vast design discerned by Him alone. 



63 



THE VICTORY. 



This Bow of Hope pales not. The Vision grows 

To hearts that apprehend: and still the songs 
Of Souls in Paradise resound with praise, 

And all the sons of God above, below. 
May lift their voices in a rapturous joy. 

For blessing, power, remain with Him whose light 
Has lightened and may not be circumscribed, 

Whose dominance has swept from Chaos to 
Completion of transcendent plan, who God 

Almighty is, and was, and is to be! 



(54 



THE VICTORY. 



TO PARADISE. 



It is not some far voyage cross the seas, 

Where sullen waves in angry billows beat, 
And low descending clouds in phalanx bold 

Flash out their menace as they wrathful meet. 
It is not travel o'er the arid plains 

Where scorching glare and burning winds unite, 
It is not weary struggling up the path 

To dim and distant frozen mountain height. — 
.\h, no, 'tis sudden freedom, — and the sound 

Of song exultant and of sinless mirth,— 
A swift ecstatic vision of delight, — 

Escape fi'om galling manacles of earth. — 
The Lord's dear promise shows how short the way,— 

"IN PARADISE,— thou 'It be with ME TO-DAY." 



65 




Jle is uot here, but risen ! go and see 
How Death is swallowed up in Victory! 



THE VICTORY. 



THE VICTORY. 



The sentient breath of newly blooming buds 

"Was rife upon the breeze of early mom, 
A conscious wonder filled the awesome space 

As had some mystic marvel, newly born 
To Earth, just passed the vernal arches through 

And left the trailing glory of its tread. 
An empty sepulcher in dim surprise 

Awaited, here had lain the Mighty Dead, 
And nearer was the stone the Scoffers rolled 

With blasphemy which Heaven itself defied.— 
But He! — the bonds were broken, tenantless 

The Place, and lo, rejoicing Seraphs cried, 
"He is not here, but risen! go and see 

How Death is swallowed up in Victory!" 



66 



THE VICTORY. 



THE ASCENSION. 



A morning glowed in heart of Heaven's Summer, 

As jewel, on a jeweled crystal sea, 
So still and sweet and calm, expectant, tender. 

As wrapped in hushed adoring ecstasy: 
And then a wave of incense, irridescent, 

And palpitant and fragrant, blessed the air, 
While from rejoicing throngs of Earth, ascending, 

Came silvern mists of pulsing praise and prayer. 
The Host Angelic waited, — sudden parted, 

Between, appeared a glistening pathway lined 
With Radiant Ones, and upward, farther, leading 

To heights where most transcendent glory shined, 
Where veil of rainbow woof and warp descended 

Lest e'en the Seraph's eyes its light should blind. 



67 



thf: victory. 



Then softly, from afar, came faintest fluting, 

As might be humblest songster's matin lay, 
Then deep and deeper tones, the diapason 

Of perfect strains upon mellifluous way. 
The winds of Earth arose and smote the waters 

To resonance of vibrant melody, 
And hills replied in rythmic, dulcet echoes 

Till all of nature swelled the symphony. 
Then Seraphim, with quivering harps and cymbals 

Gave voice to song of Ransomed and Redeemed, 
Of Heaven and Earth now reconciled and blending. 

And of Emmanuel, by the Prophets dreamed. — 
Then came THE VICTOR,— Gates to earthward rending,- 

Whence fullest glory of the GOD-HEAD streamed. 



68 



THE VICTORY. 



COMPLETION. 



FROM CHAOS TO COMPLETION —HEAVEN TO HEAVEN, 

AGAIN THE CHAIN OF CHANGELESS LOVE WAS SWUNG 

ABOUT REVOLVING SPHERES AND CIRCLING SUNS, 

WITH GOD THE CENTRE OF THE GLORIOUS WHOLE. 



69 




The sentient breath of newly blooming buds 
Was rife upon the breeze of early morn. 



'-EJe'03 



1 



